Project Summary

1. Project ID
Name	Recreational Beach Monitoring
Region	Gulf of Mexico Region
State	AL
Location	Mobile and Baldwin Counties
Date of this update	8/3/00

Habitat Restoration/Protection
Wetlands
River systems
Beaches/Dunes
Offshore areas
Mangroves
Assisting Species at Risk
Pollution Mitigation
Non-Point Source Pollution
Other (describe)

3. Project description (100 words or less)

The Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) and Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) in cooperation with the Alabama Coastal Foundation (ACF) and operators of public access swimming areas, propose to implement a recreation area bacteriological water quality monitoring and notification effort to increase public awareness and provide valuable water quality information. The effort will consist of the collection of samples from high use recreational areas twice weekly during the summer months to be analyzed for bacteriological indicators (Fecal Coliform and Enterococcus). The coordination initiative will involve development of reporting protocols between ADEM and ADPH, ACF, and a public notification process. Sampling and testing will be conducted by ADEM and ADPH and continue throughout the year, however testing frequency will be reduced during the cooler temperature months when there is less swimming or water exposure activity.

Currently Alabama does not have a bacteriological water quality monitoring program specifically designed to address risks associated with whole body water contact at its Gulf or bay beaches.

Thousands of people enjoy/use the Alabama coastal area waterways annually. On any single day, people can be found swimming, skiing, surfing, diving or just strolling through the water's edge at any of the fresh and marine water beaches in Mobile and Baldwin County. Swimming in water that is contaminated by sewage, animal waste, chemicals or other types of pollution can result in minor illnesses such as: skin rashes, eye and ear infections, and upset stomachs. Potential sources of contamination include sewage and industrial waste discharges and contributions from residential sources such as storm drain runoff and domestic animal wastes. Sewage can derive from failing septic systems, discharges to storm drains, or cracked or blocked sewer lines in sewered areas. Large concentrations of birds or marine animals can also be sources of contamination.

To support public health and safety, the cooperating entities propose to coordinate the collection and routine analyses of Fecal Coliform and Enterococcus Bacteria samples at approximately ten to twelve designated sites throughout Baldwin and Mobile County.

This monitoring effort is designed to inform beach goers of potential hazards and water quality status. Additionally, the program will provide valuable information to the health and environmental resource managers about water quality conditions or potential sources of contamination that otherwise may go undetected. This effort will fill a void in beach water health assessment where the current agencies lack the resources to routinely monitor. In particular, the goal of the monitoring is to provide information needed to assess the degree to which the water quality is suitable for swimming, water skiing, and overall human exposure.

Project Objectives:

• To plan, initiate and phase-in a recreation area bacteriological water monitoring program at approximately ten to twelve high use public access areas throughout Baldwin and Mobile Counties.
• To implement a pilot monitoring program by summer 1999, with full implementation by summer 2000.
• To provide public health education and information based upon the quality of the swimming waters through the development of communication media.
• To provide the health and regulatory agencies with baseline data to determine the need for further investigation of potential water quality problems.
• To promote a positive and proactive environmental image to the local public and coastal tourists.

4. Goals/Benefits (quantify where possible using measures of success list) Was a cost-benefit study conducted for this project? yes/no If yes, provide a summary of findings.

5. Partners (include each participant's responsibilities - funding, permitting, etc.)

6. Funding/Contributions (organization and amount)

	  Cash	Federal	
			Non Federal 	State government 
					Local government
					Private industry
					Public interest groups
			Total	


	  In-Kind Services (hours, equipment, or other forms of assistance and estimated dollar value)
	
	  Volunteers (number of people and hours, and estimated dollar value)

7. Legislative authorities used by each participant

8. Value added by Coastal America Partnership including Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) goals achieved through this collaboration (500 words or less)

9. Project Status

• Initiation date:
• Completion date:
• Current stage (Initiated - I, Underway - U or Completed - C)

10.Contacts

11. Any additional information/comments